Australia commits 600 troops to anti-IS fight

Prime Minister Tony Abbott promises fighter jets and special forces to coalition set to battle the Islamic State group.

Tony Abbott (L) said the deployment of the Australian forces focused on Iraq and not Syria [EPA]

Australia will deploy military forces and aircraft to a global coalition against the Islamic State group, responding to a request from the United States to become involved militarily in the conflict.

A 600-strong force comprising about 400 air force personnel and 200 special forces soldiers will be deployed to the United Arab Emirates and based at a US headquarters, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Sunday.

Eight super hornet fighter jets, an early warning and control aircraft, and an aerial refuelling aircraft will be prepared and deployed in the coming days, he said.

I have to warn the Australian people that should this preparation and deployment extend into combat operations, that this could go on for quite some time.

- Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Abbott said the deployment was a "prudent and proportionate" contribution to the coalition and that his government had not yet made the decision to commit troops to combat action.

The deployment is the next step in Australia's involvement in trying to halt the advance of Islamic State fighters after it last month joined in a multinational relief effort, dropping military equipment and aid to Kurdish forces fighting the group in northern Iraq.

It also follows a move by the government on Friday to raise the domestic terror alert to "high" for the first time, citing the likelihood of attacks by Australian citizens radicalised in Iraq or Syria.

As part of the deployment, a task group will be prepared to act as military advisers that could assist Iraqi and other security forces, Abbott said in a statement.

Abbott said "there are obviously further decisions to be taken" before Australian forces commit to combat action.

"I have to warn the Australian people that should this preparation and deployment extend into combat operations, that this could go on for quite some time," Abbott told reporters in the northern city of Darwin.

Abbott said the deployment was focused on Iraq and not Syria.

"At this point in time, Australia is not intending to operate in Syria," he said.

"The legalities of operating in Iraq with the consent and welcome of the Iraqi government are obviously very different from the legalities of operating in Syria, which has a government that Australia doesn't recognise."